AN 11-YEAR-OLD girl with Down’s Syndrome has released a charity single celebrating all children who are ‘different’.

The song, written by Erika Petrie, mother of Miki, who also suffers from global developmental delay, aims to raise awareness of Down Syndrome, whilst also fundraising for local charities and Miki’s school.

Its musical arrangement was written and recorded by Julian Saxl and Bendik Engebretsen, with Kay Caulkin-Jones providing the chords and harmonies. The final recording was produced by Jamie King at Absolute Music.

Erika Petrie, Miki’s mother, said: “I wrote the song ‘Different’ while Miki was being treated in Salisbury District Hospital.

“It developed into what I thought my daughter might say if she had a voice, as she is non-verbal, and to honour all the other children who are ‘different’.

“I believe that this song is something that all families of children with learning difficulties or other ‘differences’ can relate to.”

The single is fast turning into an anthem for all children who are ‘different’, and the song has also appeared on local radio stations.

Miki attends Beaucroft School in Blandford, a Foundation Special School that caters for children and young people between the ages of four and nineteen with learning disabilities.

Charities supported by the single are Down’s Syndrome charity 21 and Co, Miki’s school Beaucroft Foundation School, Dorset’s disability charity Diverse Abilities, The Dorset Children’s Foundation and Dorset based Down’s Syndrome charity Downright Perfect.

Erika added: “This is both an awareness raising venture and a fundraiser for smaller charities that have supported us with Miki over the years and that are in the main not as well known.”

To find out more about the song, watch the music video made courtesy of Sam Harvell and to donate to the associated charities, visit shadesofdifferent.com.